行走

• Pinyin: xíng zǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 行 = 彳 + 亍 (movement/go); 走 = 土 + 止 (walk/run)

Meaning

To walk; to travel on foot; to move about. More literary than 走路, used in formal and medical contexts.

Preferred in written Chinese, classical literature, and rehabilitation medicine (行走能力 = ability to walk). Also used figuratively to describe navigating life or society.

Examples

1. 老人每天坚持在公园行走一小时，既锻炼了身体，也舒缓了心情。 The elderly man insists on walking in the park for an hour every day, which both exercises his body and helps him unwind.
2. 山路崎岖，徒步行走需要充分的体力储备和适当的装备支持。 The mountain trail is rugged; hiking on foot requires ample stamina and proper gear.
3. 经过系统的康复训练，患者终于能够独立行走，不再依赖辅助器械。 After systematic rehabilitation training, the patient can finally walk independently and no longer relies on assistive devices.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, medical, literary

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 老人行走不便，出行时需要家人陪同搀扶。(The elderly person has difficulty walking and needs family members to accompany and assist when going out.)
• 这条无障碍步道专为行走不便的人群设计，路面平整宽阔。(This barrier-free path is designed for people with walking difficulties, featuring a smooth and wide surface.)

Don't Say

• 汽车在路上行走 — 行走 applies to people or animals on foot; for vehicles use 行驶; applying 行走 to motorised transport is a register error

Origin & History

行 (go/move) + 走 (walk/run)

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal